The appointment of experienced local tax specialist Karen Meagher has prompted Saffery Champness’ audit and tax practice to field a new team dedicated to supporting Guernsey businesses.

The new team will provide a hands-on service to individuals, sole traders, partnerships and companies. It aims to be more accessible to smaller local businesses, traders and professionals who previously may not have considered using a professional firm of accountants.

Mrs Meagher, a Senior Tax Administrator, spent 15 years working for the Income Tax Authority and 12 years in private practice. For 10 years she and her husband ran their own service and event hire business, Rent-A-Guernsey Limited, which gave her first-hand experience of the challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses.

“It is great to be back in the taxation and accountancy environment. I am keen to promote a traditional service ethic that is too often lacking nowadays,” said Mrs Meagher.

“I know that many people are frustrated by the constraints that their businesses and everyday lives impose on them and paperwork always seems to be the last thing we sort out. Our new team is able to offer help and advice and provide an accessible service that sets out clear timelines and ensures deadlines are met.

“The move to online tax returns and the greater amount of regulation around taxation, including fines for missed deadlines, could prove problematic for small businesses, trades people and private individuals who don’t have access to a computer or the time to compile and complete their tax returns”.

The team of accountants and tax administrators includes Mark Le Ray and Sharon Hickman, both of whom also previously worked for Income Tax; Chris Ringham and Danny Miller.

Mr Le Ray, a Director of Saffery Champness who heads up the tax business, said: “For the past 35 years we have advised our private clients on a broad range of complex tax issues. Bringing Karen on board adds considerably to the wealth of Guernsey income tax experience within our team and, with her enthusiasm for working with local businesses, we look forward to expanding our involvement in the local business community.”